Stanley and his visit to the Archaeological Research Institute

This is the lab space for the Archaeological Research Institute (ARI). ARI is a laboratory and artifact curation facility. This means that we house all of the information, maps, books, photos and artifacts after the archaeology has been done at the site.

In this photo you can see our shelving units, map cabinets and computer space.

We employ undergraduate and graduate students at our facility. To learn more about ARI visit our website at http://archaeology.asu.edu

Here is Stanley visiting ARI and helping out at the computer. Dr. Stuart is showing Stanley his latest research project which is all about plants used by people hundreds of years ago.

Here Stanley is helping Tatsuya with his research on Hohokam ceramics. We use microscopes to see all of the little sand and mineral particles that keep the clay together. The study of these little parts, called ceramic temper, is important for finding out where the pottery was made. By comparing the temper parts in the clay to sand and other rock found naturally in the desert, we can make a pretty good guess about where that pottery was made.

Here are the two Steves posing for a photo opportunity. These gentlemen are both studying to get their doctorate (Ph.D) degrees. They really like their work here at ARI!

Stanley is taking a tour of our collection of whole vessels. These are all prehistoric pots from Arizona. Notice that some are painted, some are plain. Lots of different shapes are represented too. We can tell when and where the pottery comes from by its shape and decoration style. These pots below are all from about 1200-1300 A.D.

These pots are from Mexico at a site called Casas Grandes. See the one in front that looks like a little person, it is almost as big as Stanley.

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